How to Hide the Seam Line in Crochet Rounds (Join vs Spiral)
Joined rounds leave a diagonal seam line that drifts across hats and bags. How to stop it drifting, when to work in a spiral instead, the invisible join for the last round, and how to fix the "step" in a spiral.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Time
- 15 minutes
You'll need
- Hook and yarn
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
In this post
The seam in joined rounds is the line of slip-stitch joins and turning chains stacked on top of each other. It drifts diagonally when you join into the wrong stitch. Join into the first real stitch of the round (not the chain), start the next round in that same stitch, and the seam stays straight — then place it at the back of a hat or the side of a bag. If you don't want a seam at all, work in a continuous spiral.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Joined rounds vs spiral
| Joined rounds | Spiral | |
|---|---|---|
| Seam | Visible line | None |
| Colour stripes | Clean, level stripes | Stripes have a "step" |
| Best for | Granny squares, striped hats, mandalas | Amigurumi, solid hats, bags |
Keep the seam straight
- Mark the first stitch of each round (not the chain) with a marker.
- Join into the marked stitch with a slip stitch.
- Chain up (ch 1 for sc, ch 2 for hdc) and work the first stitch of the new round into the same stitch you joined into.
- Don't work into the slip stitch or the turning chain at the end of the round — they're not stitches.
- Turn every round (optional): it keeps the seam vertical and reduces lean.
The invisible join (last round)
- Finish the last stitch, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the loop.
- Thread the tail on a tapestry needle and pass it under both loops of the second stitch of the round, from front to back.
- Go back down into the centre of the last stitch, through its back loop.
- Pull gently so the new "stitch" matches the others, and weave in the end.
Smooth the step in a spiral
At the end of a spiral, finish with: hdc, sc, sl st into the next stitches — the stitches step down to the level of the round below, then fasten off with an invisible join.
Basics: crocheting in the round. Seam visible on stripes? See changing colours. Finishing the last round: how to fasten off.
Common questions
Why does my crochet seam slant?
You're joining into the chain instead of the first stitch, or starting the new round one stitch over. Mark the first stitch and join into it every round.
Should I join rounds or work in a spiral?
Join for striped colourwork and granny squares; spiral for amigurumi and solid hats and bags.
What is an invisible join?
A needle finish that imitates the top of a stitch, so the last round closes without a bump.
Joiner or spiraller? 🌀
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